An adware isn't that dangerous, but it still is a nuisance. An adware is just apiece of bad software which displays ads in the hope that you will click on them - they get their revenues from the clicks you make. Although this isn't serious, but it is annoying as it trashes your computer with tons of advertisement, some of which may be inappropriate. The best (and free!) adware removal software is Lavasoft's Ad-aware Personal, Spybot's Search & Destroy and Microsoft Defender . You can have multiple adware removal tools (unlike a virus checker) installed on your system with little or no problem. Not a single anti-adware software can catch and remove all, so your best bet would be to have a couple of them installed all together at once. Never install adware removal tools from unknown publishers as these install adwares themselves! A spyware is a potentially dangerous form of malicious software. It tracks your every move, every key you press, every passwords that you enter - everything that you do on your PC. That means it can find out all your passwords, credit card details, personal information and send it back to its maker. Thousands of accounts are being hacked, credit cards are being forged and identity theft being done this way. But you do not need to fret at this! The best spyware removal tools are also free. And yes, ad-ware removal tools also scan for spywares, so that you have a two-in-one software. Use the adware removal softwares that I have mentioned and make sure to run a scan frequently and update your software. 3. If using Internet Explorer, double-check before you run any Active X controls. 4. Time and time again, remember to update your softwares! 5. Never visit any illegal/crack/warez/serial/porn sites. These are the most likely sources for virus, spyware or adware infections. 6. Never download anything from sources that you do not trust. 7. Never respond to or open spam mails. Never download any attachments in your email from a person you do not know. 8. Use an antivirus software running in the background. These offer real-time protection and stop viruses the moment they try to enter your PC. And the best defense of all is to USE YOUR COMMON SENSE. If you need help, then post a message at our discussion forum at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gamers-world_bd/ where there are lots of eager members to help you. But if all else fails, and you need immediate assistance, then drop me a line. -Download Links (Free) -
Internet connection is available to the masses of the Bangladeshi people - anyone can access it from their home, office, school, university, cyber cafes at a cheap flat rate. But due to the huge accessibility to the Internet, virus and other malicious attacks have increased two-fold. A lot of us don't even care to use anti-spyware/adware/virus softwares or don't update them regularly and this results in potentially harmful malicious content on our PC without our knowledge.
Therefore I am proud to present this guide on how to protect your computer from these malicious threats.
1. ADWARE
Once you have downloaded the appropriate softwares, run a check weekly (at the least) and remember to update often. New adwares are constantly being released and your PC is sitting dumb unless you update. Updating allows newer adwares to be detected and removed by the adware-removal tools. Most of us forget to update our softwares - thinking that we are perfectly safe, but WE ARE NOT! Don't be one of them!
2. SPYWARES 
Virus stands for Vital Information Resources Under Siege. This is perhaps the most dangerous form form of malicious software that is out there on the internet. Viruses alone causes billions of dollars of damage worldwide. Think about all the important files on your computer - that you have toiled upon day and night or have them for years. If you catch a virus then it may delete all your files, your operating system, and render your computer useless. Some viruses are known to slow down a computer's performance. So if your computer is behaving strangely - frequent crahses, error messages - or has become slow, then you have, most likely, caught a virus. Included in the many types of viruses are:
A. Trojan horses A Trojan horse is just a computer program. The program pretends to do one thing (like claim to be a picture) but actually does damage when one starts it (it can completely erase one's files). Trojan horses cannot replicate automatically.
B. Worms A worm is a piece of software that uses computer networks and security flaws to create copies of itself. A copy of the worm will scan the network for any other machine that has a specific security flaw. It replicates itself to the new machine using the security flaw, and then begins scanning and replicating anew.
C. E-mail viruses An e-mail virus will use an e-mail message as a mode of transport, and usually will copy itself by automatically mailing itself to hundreds of people in the victim's address book.
To remove viruses, you need a good Antivirus program, such as Symantec's Norton Antivirus, BitDefender or McAfee. If you cannot afford a paid antivirus program, then consider yourself getting a free antivirus program such as AVG Antivirus . It is good enough. Of all the important things, remember to scan and update regularly!
General Guidelines to avoid infection:
1. Always use a firewall, such as Zone Alarm. A firewwall is your first line of defence against malicious attacks as it stops the infection from entering your computer.
2. Use a safe browser, such as Mozilla Firefox, or the recently released Internet Explorer 7. A lot of virus outbreaks occur due to holes in Internet Explorer 6.
9. Patch your operating system regularly, especially if you are using Windows. Bugs and holes through which malicious content could enter, are continually being detected and patched. To make sure you are receiving the latest patches (in Win XP), go to Start>Control Panel>Security Center and make sure that Automatic Update is turned on.
10. Get the latest updates of all the software that you use - it improves performance, stability and system security.
It is hoped that with these guidelines, you will be able to stop 90% of all malicious attacks. But in the off-chance that you do catch a virus, then don't tear out your hair yet! Try to remove it using a virus scanner or manually delete the file. If all else fails, you may need to perform a complete reformat of your hard drive. But that means backing up all your data, documents, personal files, reinstalling Windows, reinstalling all your softwares and settings and the like.
Lavasoft's Ad-aware - Spybot Search&Destroy - Microsoft Defender - AVG Antivirus - Zone Alarm
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Get rid of adwares, spywares, viruses and other malicious content once and for all
Utsay dot net
Most probably you don't know this superb Bangladeshi blog - Utsay Dot Net. I came across this blog the other day and was actually surprised as to how good it was. It has every topic covered, from video games to movies to sports. You are sure to find something in this blog that interests you. Another plus side is it's simple and elegant design. There are quite a few ads but it won't get into your way. Another plus is that the content is updated regularly (unlike mine) and there are some interesting articles to read.
Well, don't let me stop you. Visit this site at http://www.utsay.net
Thursday, June 28, 2007
PC PHOBIA - Is the PC dead as a gaming platform?
It got me wondering. I mean, I'm not spending as much time with my PC as I used to. I admit that I find myself buying more games for my console than for PC. If a game releases on multiple platforms, I will most likely get the console version, preferable for Xbox 360. To put it in short, I mostly prefer consoles to PCs. But it got me thinking - what does the future hold for computers as a gaming platform? Are we going to accustom computers with offices and consoles with homes?
I don't blame you if you are thinking the same. I mean, the PC graphics are oh-so last-generation, even if you do own a decent gaming rig. For the half that you spend on your PC, you will most likely find a top-of-the-line next generation console. And should I start about the next-gen graphics in consoles and HDTVs? Sure, that will soon change when Direct X 10 graphics cards hits Bangladesh, but come on, are you kidding me? Is anyone willing to cough up $500 just for a graphics card when you can get the wlite Xbox 360 just for $480?
Then there isn't the hassle of ensuring that your system meets the requirements to play the game, just pop the disk inside your console and start playing - even no installation required! Unlike PCs, you don't have to constantly upgrade your consoles meaning that your "investment" won't get obsolete by the next year or just six months from now.
Besides, the analog controller in consoles is more fun to play with than a standard "keyboard and mouse" setup. Couple that with rumble and motion sensing support and you know what I mean.
Then there is the achievements in X360 and PS3 - the main reason why I bother to stick with single player games on consoles - bragging to your friends of your gamerscore is a truly satisfying experience. Now why don't we see that on PCs?
Xbox Live for 360 is, I believe, one of the greatest online multiplayer experiences avaialable at the moment. I know there is multiplayer support in Pcs, but it has to be more streamline. Games for Windows Live is nothing but a flop. Look at consoles, ther are no viruses, spywares, adwares or crashes to deal with. And now you can browse the internet with consoles!
Heck, you even get to watch DVDs/HD-DVDs/Blu-Ray discs on consoles any experience "next-generation entertainment", which is expensive to do so on computers. And then you have to ensure that all your hardware is HDCP compliant or its standard definition or even no movies at all for you!
Now don't get me wrong. I've been using PCs since way-back 1995. But something needs to be done to help promote PCs as a gaming platform. The "Games for Windows Live" and "one-click game installation" in Vista is one step forward in the right direction by Microsoft. Sure, the PC is not entirely doomed and excels in certain areas. You cannot get the fast and twitchy gunplay in consoles as in PCs. And a true RTS experience is only possible on computers. But the point is that something needs to be done for this waning platform - and SOON - because consoles are quickly catching up.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
My Xbox 360 just took a bath!
As hard as it might be to believe, my Xbox 360 really did take a bath, although I was not responsible for it. You see, last Friday (or maybe it was before?) there was torrential rain in Dhaka city and all roads and drainage system got waterlogged (don't ask, it happens every time it rains). This time it rained so hard that water came pouring down the stairs from the roof and into our house (now that doesn't happen very often)! And it happened at night, so I didn't realise it until the next morning. And what a shock I got! My imported premium 360 was a goner for sure I thought. It was just soaked! Now how did it happen? Well, you see, my precious 360 lies on the ground in a dusty corner of my room. But luckily, I was able to recover it from it's bath.
First I unplugged all the power cords and left it to dry for an hour or two. Next I got out my mom's hairdryer and blasted every vent holes with hot air. I would have taken the console apart and dried each part individually, but, I wanted to keep the warranty sticker intact. Lucky for me, I happened to put some old newspapers under the 360 which soaked up most of the water before it could really do much harm to my console.
The next time I turned on the power, I was happily playing Project Gotham Racing 3 on my squeaky-clean X360 without a glitch. Guess it needed the bath, right? And in case if you are wondering, yes, my X360 still lies on the ground in the same exact spot. I think that I still haven't learned from my experience, that is, until the next flood comes. That's how careless I am.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Die hard Oblivion fan - disk error - you've just wasted 110 hours!
Ugh! That's why I hate consoles - because of their over reliance on the DVD drive and the DVDs itself. If anything goes kaput, then it's game over. Worse still is the fact that a malfunctioning DVD drive in next-gen consoles is next to impossible to replace by yourself.Take my point for example. I'm an avid fan of the Elder Scrolls IV : oblivion. I've completed every single quest in Oblivion. But my love for Oblivion didn't stop there. I've taken great pains to set up a home network to share my internet connection, so that I could download the near 1 GB expansion pack, Shivering Isles, over my lousy 128 kbps connection (it's the fastest in Bangladesh). Trust me it wasn't a happy moment. Not only that, but I've had trouble paying for Shivering Isles because I live in Bangladesh ( and goddamned Microsoft won't accept an international Visa credit card!!). Nasty details aside, and fast forward a couple of days, I was happily exploring the wonderful realm of Sheogorath in Shivering Isles. I've spent over 110 hours in total playing Oblivion, I just can't put it down.. But it seems that I am cursed, because my woes with Oblivion didn't end there.
Recently, I'm getting an unreadavle disk error while playing Shivering Isles. It's gotten so frequent that I can't even load the goddamned game. The cause? If you play long enough on the 360, your game disk could get scratched(more at http://gamersworldbd.blogspot.com/2007/06/xbox-360-can-scratch-your-game-disks.html). My warranty period has expired so there's no
option for replacing the disk. I could just buy a new one - yep, that seems the best option. But ther's just a teeny-weeny problem. I've imported my Xbox 360 and all its game from the US. So none of the pirated games available here in the whole of Bangladesh is going to work on my unmodded X360.Looks like I will just have to travel thousands of miles to the nearest Gamestop retail outlet in the US to grab a new copy of the game. Yeah, I'll do that. I'll even go to the ends of the earth just to be able to play Oblivion again - heck, it's the only reason I bought an Xbox 360.
Cool Bangladeshi site!
For all of us Bangladeshis, there is good news. There is this cool yahoo-like Bangladeshi site at http://www.desibdesi.com/. It has everything Yahoo has to offer, including email, chat, web directory and lots more. The design is good too! I could go on and on about this site, but I'll leave you to see it for yourself.
Visit this site today! I know you won't be disappointed.
Manhunt 2 gets "Adults Only" Rating
Earlier today, the British Board of Film Classification gave Manhunt 2 a thumbs down, banning it from sale in the UK due to its "unremitting bleakness" and "casual sadism." Now it appears the Entertainment Software Rating Board is ready to hand down its own most restrictive rating to the latest controversial offering from Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games.A Take-Two representative told GameSpot today that the ESRB has issued an initial rating of AO for Adults Only to Manhunt 2. While not an outright ban, the rating would severely limit a game's sales potential, as most major American retailers have chosen not to carry games rated AO.
As for the reason this is only an "initial" rating, when the ESRB rates a game, it notifies the publisher 30 days prior to publicly releasing its decision. This gives publishers unhappy with ratings the chance to either modify their games and resubmit them for a second assessment, or go before the ESRB's appeals board to challenge it directly.
"We believe the process of rating video games is to help people make informed entertainment choices and not to limit them," a Take-Two representative said. "Manhunt 2 was created for mature audiences and we strongly believe it should receive an M (Mature) rating, aligning it with similar content created in other forms of media. We are exploring our options with regard to the rating of Manhunt 2."While Take-Two doesn't agree with the idea of an AO-rated Manhunt 2, one parent watchdog group believes it's only appropriate. Earlier today, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood demanded that the ESRB give Manhunt 2 an AO rating, saying that "harmful effects of ultra-violent video games on children will be magnified by playing them on the interactive Nintendo Wii system."
The group's announcement contained a statement from Dr. Michael Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, who explained, "The content of Manhunt 2 and the unique physical interaction with the Wii control combine to take [the game's simulation] a level closer to reality--we can expect that the effects of this experience will be even greater."
The group directed like-minded individuals to contact ESRB president Patricia Vance with their concerns, and Vance today issued her response.
"We have received the letter from CCFC and, while we might take issue with some of the statements made within, we sincerely appreciate their expressed concerns," Vance said. "Our ratings are intended to provide guidance that allows parents to choose games they deem suitable for their children, and that is a responsibility we take extremely seriously."
Manhunt 2 is currently slated for a July 10 release on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Xbox 360 can scratch your game disks!
I've read about this issue a couple of times online, but I didn't find enough evidence to backup this claim. So, I dismissed it. But it seems that the Xbox 360 CAN scratch your game disks! Yep, its true. As far as you would like to avoid this unpleasant fact, the truth is that if you play your games long enough on an Xbox 360, it might end up getting scratched.
Now here's the fact. I'm a big fan of Oblivion, with playtime well over 110 hours. Recently the game just freezes up for no good reason and I receive an error message saying that the disk is unreadable. I pop out the disk and upon further inspection, find a couple of scratches on the game disk. Now, I don't know how it occured. I've always stored the game disk back into its protective case and always handled the game carefully. I never lent the game disk to any of my friends. So the most obvious culprit is my 360 and the long hours I've spent with it in Oblivion.
It seems that I'm not the only one suffering the same problem. Head online and you are bound to come across some stories similar to mine. Infact, in a recent press release, Microsoft DID say that the Xbox 360 MIGHT scratch your game disks. Not only that, but Microsoft has an offer in their support section to replace scratched Xbox 360 game disks that are published by Microsoft.
So, in the end, remember that prolonged use of a game disk in an Xbox 360 might end up getting scratched. Just don't say I didn't warn you.
Monday, June 18, 2007
NFS heads to a new direction : PROSTREET
EA Blackbox is at it again. After the release of Carbon, EA has announced that another NFS series is in the works, dubbed NFS : ProStreet. With ProStreet, EA has decided to drop out its stereotypical "control the city by taking on the top dogs" setting for a more real-life experience of street racing today. Gone are the arcade type underground racings, replace by more realistic races, cars that hadnle as it should and close quarter day light courses. "We’re trying to reflect what we see the culture doing. The culture is really moving away from that bling, the neon, the fast and the furious thing; the cars that ride on trailers but don’t actually ever ride on the track.", said Black Box producer John Dyle in an interview with Gameinformer.
But the wide array of cars, and, ofcourse, the hot girls are here to stay. And so is the widely popular "Autosculpt" feature. Although there will be no "cheesy" cutscenes as in the previous games, but, EA has promised that there will be some sort of motivation to keep players pushing forward.
The main highlight of the game is the car damage system and physics. Cars now crash more realistically and with visible damages, including flipping them, rolling them and totaling them.
Sadly for gamers, the police is out of the scene in NFS Prostreet. "This year that consequence is really driven by damage. This game is about your ability to build and drive fantastically powerful cars and that’s where we wanted to keep our focus."
I'm pretty excited about NFS ProsStreet. I think the pull away from night-time arcade type racings is going to pay off. Lets just wait and see.
For more images, visit: http://www.ea.com/nfs/prostreet/media.jsp?locale=us
For the full interview with EA Blackbox producer John Dyle, head on to: http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200706/N07.0601.1611.06445.htm
For the officila trailer: http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=19790&type=mov
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Get free reciprocal links
On the hunt to get some quality reciprocal links to boost your page rank? You've come to the right place! We are open for all types of reciprocal link exchanges. Heres what you need to do:
1.Just place our link http://gamersworldbd.blogspot.com with the title "Gamers World 
Bangladesh Blog" on your web.
2. Notify us that you have put the link and where you have put it.
3. Specify your link details and email us at gamertushar123-linkexchange@yahoo.com!
4. We will have your link up and running!
Another website that I recommend is Noli Control Systems - Save Energy With Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. "We offer a range of quality energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and accessories. We have the most popular and best value energy saving light bulbs in America!"
They maybe a bit off topic, but they sure have some pretty good page rank.
Deshiweb.com
Deshiweb.com is a good website directory. Visit it to find your favourite website! It is my personal favourite.
Taxes to be imposed on computer products
It seems that tax-free computer products and peripherals are history in Bangladesh. Our caretaker government has recently decided to impose taxes on computers, peripherals and accessories in the fiscal year 2007-2008.
Although the exact rate of tax is yet to be declared, this recent decision might have some serious effects on the ICT sector in Bangladesh. With the aim of promoting growth through ICT and exporting home-made softwares, taxes could make life more complicated for these relatively new software industries in Bangladesh.
But wait. What about us consumers? It will make computers more expensive to afford in the lower and middle class groups. But will it have any serious effects on our purchasing trends? That remains to be seen.
Well, taxes or no taxes, there is no way anyone can stop me from getting a Geforce 8800 later this year.
Readers, what do you think? Do you support this or against the idea of taxes on computers. Let us know by leaving a comment.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Online Gaming for the least fortunate
This represents my first how-to article.
All of us Bangladeshis have known it and longed to try it out, that is, online gaming - the major step forward for video games. But every Bangladeshi knows that to attempt such a feat is a complete suicide, with net speeds in the mere single digit kilobytes per second and webpages that take forever to load, online gaming is nothing but a luxury to behold. But we've known it and seen it - the likes of World of Warcraft with over seven million subscribers, many of us have dreamed to divulge in this far-away treasure.
But take heart people! It seems that online gaming is not so far away from our grasp. Today, I will give you some advice on how to play online games even on slow net connections, right now, right here! I've had my own experiences as a successful online gamer in Bangladesh and here is what I've learned to get you up and running.
1. Turn off bandwidth zapping programs: You would be surprised at the increase in your net speeds. Turn off windows automatic updates, your antivirus/firewall updates, etc. during the time of your online play. Look for background apps that require an internet connection and give them the boot - you want to squeeze out the last frop out of your bandwidth. Just remember to turn you updates back on again!
2. Do a spyware/adware scan: No, this isn't your routine security maintenance. All of these notorious programs call back to its creator at the expense of your bandwidth. So, eliminate them!
3. Choose a server closest to you and with the least ping: While inside a game lobby, choose a server that is closest to your location. This reduces the time that it takes for the data to travel and, ultimately, reduces lag. Most games automatically clalculate the time required and displays it as "ping". So choose the game server with the lowest ping.
4. Don't play shooter/action games: Try games, such as racing and strategy, which are still playable under lag. I personally don't recommend playing fps games as lag will constantly get you fragged and pwned - no matter how good you are.
5. Play at off-peak hours: Usually this time is after midnight when more people are sleeping than surfing. So less people are on your ISP's network and, therefore, you will gain a lot of increase in speed. In a couple of times playing online at off-peak hours, lag was virtually eliminated!
6. Switch to a better ISP: It is a common fact that different ISPs provide different speeds at the same price (see my post "The Search for a better ISP" at http://gamersworldbd.blogspot.com/2006/08/search-for-good-isp-fed-up-with-worst.html). So you could get an increase in your net speed by just switching your ISP and you will still be paying the same. One ISP that I particularly recommend is Sirius Broadband. Not only do they have a dedicated gaming server for local play, but they also offer a meaty 128 kbps connection at an affordable price. Note: I was NOT paid by Sirius Broadband to write this post.
If you take care to follow these guidlines that I have mentioned, I'm sure that you will be gaming online in no time. But that also means you gotta own legal copies of your favourite games (sorry, pirated games do not work online). A good and immensely popular online game that I recommend is Savage. It is an interesting blend between strategy, action and roleplaying, so check it out at http://www.s2games.com/savage/downloads.php. And it's only 150 MB in size!
I hope this helps. Just leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out. You can also share your own tip. If you have a 360 and do make it online, then make sure to invite me to yout game. My gamercard is TUSHAR451. And happy online gaming everyone!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Free and superb Gaming Magazines you don't read
These are some very good gaming magazines that you probably don't read. It contains lots of previews, witty reviews and exclusive interviews. So check them out now!
Gamerzines.com is the answer to every gamers prayer, free gaming magazines! It might be free, but they did not skimp on the quality. Each issue is jam-packed with tons of previews, reviews and exclusive interviews with game 
developers. What sets this apart from the competition is how they used multimedia content - beside every review and preview is a game footage and other interactive contents. Brilliant.
The quality of these zines rivals some of those print magazines. Updated on a monthly basis, gamerzines.com currently publishes five magazines, the 360zine for Xbox360 gamers, the PCGzine for PC gamers, the P3zine for playstation fans, HGzine which is for handle held 
gamers and last but certainly not least is the Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) Zine.
Grab your copy today and you could also win a PS3, X360 or a DS for you and your friends! How sweet is that?
Saturday, June 09, 2007
7 Ways the Xbox 360 Beats the PS3
Here is a great article from gamepro.com showing 7 ways how the xbox 360 beats the PS3 (man, I am so happy that I got a 360!). Those include:
7. Custom Soundtracks
6. Xbox 360 Plays Nice with iPod
5. Windows Media Center Compatibility
4. Headsets Included
3. Xbox Live
2. PC-Friendly Game Ports
1. Bungie
For the full article, head on to http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/features/115808.shtml
Friday, June 08, 2007
PS3 sells one million in PAL region
Just to show you that the PS3 is back in business
A few moments ago, Gamespot.com has just confirmed that just about a few weeks back, the PS3 has sold more than a million weeks in the UK, Europe and Australasia. "This makes the console faster-selling than either of Sony's previous living room machines, the original PlayStation or the PS2."
Gamespot also quoted that Resistance: Fall of Man was the top seller so far, having shifted some 600,000 units, and MotorStorm is revving in second place with a total of approximately 500,000 sales.
The PS3 broke UK console records by selling 165,000 units in the first two days it was on sale in the UK, the second best debut only to the handheld PlayStation Portable. It was also announced in April that the console had reached the 800,000 milestone, with CEO Howard Stringer commenting, "We came into the [European market] with more games, and perhaps we lived up to the expectations in Europe in a way that perhaps we didn't in Japan."
Now I am not (note was) a Sony fan. I just bought a 360 after my PS2. But it goes to show that all you speculators (inlcuding me) underestimated Sony. But who knows? It might be all different in this fierce battle.
Yahoo offers unlimited mail storage space
I think in order to beat strong competition from Google and Microsoft, Yahoo is offering free unlimited storage! It's not the first for a web mail service, rediff mail also offers the same.But what's in it to us? I mean I have been using a Yahoo Mail Plus account with 2GB storage for over 3 years, and still its only 20-30% full. Incase you are wondering, no I don't delete any email other than spam. And yes I do receive a lot of email. A lot.
Still, you can use it as an online storage space for all your photos, mp3s, etc. but I will leave you to that. Right now, more is good and unlimited is better.
To read more about this, visit Yahoo's official posting at http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/mail/yahoomail/tools/tools-08.html
Burning Question: Has the PS3 already lost in the next-gen console wars?
The answer might be more surprising than you think.
If you read the gaming blogs during the PS3 launch, Sony was dead on arrival. It certainly wasn't the smoothest of launches, with console shortages, already lofty pricetags inflated due to eBay auctions, no online strategy to rival Xbox Live, and a dearth of compelling games for the nascent machine.
The PS3 - out even before it started?But did the PS3 really limp out of the gate that badly? Putting its initial sales up against its direct competitor, the Xbox 360, the numbers tell a different tale. According to NPD Group data, the PS3 sold approximately 902,000 consoles during its first three months in the US. The Xbox 360 sold 50,000 fewer consoles during its first three month in the US, coming in at roughly 854,000. Comparing the PS3 with its highly successful predecessors, it outsold both the PSone and PS2 during the same time frame. So why the doom and gloom surrounding Sony?
It seems the PS3 outsold the X360 and even its predecessors, the PSone and PS2 during the same time frame."The media are plain stupid," says Michael Pachter, analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities. "People are being overly critical on how well it's doing mostly because their expectation for what the sales should have been were too high."
Billy Pidgeon, an analyst with IDC, agrees that Sony received an overabundance of criticism. One of the other problems facing Sony was the overwhelming success of it current heavyweight, the PS2. "The fact of the matter us that the PS2 is still entrenched," says Pidgeon. "That is Sony's biggest problem for the PS3. What is the incentive to buy PS3 when you can still get great titles like God of War II for PS2?"
"I expect the Wii and Xbox 360 to stay in the lead in North America for the next two years," says Pidgeon. Where that flips is in 2010, 2011, where the Ps3 has a huge install base and surpasses [Nintendo and Microsoft] while they are prepping their next boxes."
"I think [the PS3] ends up in first," says Patcher. "But all three consoles will all have 30 percent or greater market share, and all of them will win."
Readers, what is your reaction to this? Let us know by leaving a comment.
Photo courtesy of http://theconsolewars.blogspot.com
Command & Conquer 3 has taken over my life!
I find myself slipping away from my studies just to write this. Why couldn't I do it in my free time you ask? Well, I was too busy playing Command & Conquer 3! C&C3 is the higly anticipated sequel to the C&C3 : Tiberian Sun released way back in 2000. The earth has been infested by an alien-like radioactive substance called Tiberium. The world's two superpowers, the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and NOD are battling it out to take control of this stuff. GDI sees Tiberium as a threat and wants to eradicate it while NOD embraces the power of the "green crystal" and is bent upon spreading it all over the globe.
C&C 3 greatly improves upon the already excellent gameplay
of C&C: Tiberian Sun with over-the-top visuals, an electrifying soundtrack that keeps your adrenalin pumping and over an hour of high definition videos in between the missions to keep you pushing for more. But its strategy and that means, well, you might think its boring. But boring is hardly on your mind when you go through the game. There are thrills and surprises right through the beginning of the game.The missions are well-varied and balanced; its challenging but not impossible.Fans of the series will notice some familiar units such as the all favourite GDI's Elite Mammoth tank, NOD's flame units and structures such as the Ion Cannon and Nod's Obelisk of Light to all new units such as Pitbulls, Predators, Scorpions and Battle Bases. The interdace has been greatly improved; everything is right where it should be and is easier to micromanage. C&C 3 is not your typical build a base and wipe off your opponents type of strategy game. To accomplish a mission, you have to be tactical; rush all your units to full-scal frontal assault and you'll get nowhere of smelling victory.
There are a couple of twists in the storline; right when you think its going to end, it start all over again. Plus there is a new third faction ( I won't spoil it for you) and an unlockable campaign. As I've said before, the missions are diverse. Your objectives will range from infiltrating the enemy base with an elite commanto to sabotage their defenses to bombarding the hell out of them with your firehawk and stealth bombers.
If you're a fan of the Command & Conquer series (an Tiberian Sun in particular) then I need not say more. I guess you're probably blowing NOD staright back to those yellow zones with your Mammoths just as I speak. And there's good news for you, and I can sum it up in two words; Kane's Back. For those whore are not familiar with the series (which I doubt), I urge you to atleast try this game; if you're a strategy fan then you'll surely not be dissapointed if not wowed. As for me, I'm getting back to a quick round of C&C before I resume my studies.
- PEACE THROUGH POWER! (KANE)
THE ALL NEW GAMERS WORLD BANGLADESH BLOG
Well folks, I've been neglecting you a lot in the past few months, and I want to apologize.
Well, don't blame me! I've been really, really, really busy playing video games and studying for my exams. Well none of those are over, but I want to continue my blog due to the strong support (and requests) that I have been receiving.
So to make it up to you, here is an all-new and redesigned blog! I'm still tinkering with this and that, so expect to see some changes in the following days. Also, don't fret if something doesn't work or doesn't look right. It will still take some time to nail down the final design and iron out the problems.
What do you think about our new blog? Leave a comment.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Too Many Games, Too Little Time
I'm on a gaming overload. Can't just find enough time to play all these games due to my exams starting (again).
They never seem to end, do they? I mean about exams. Its just so boring. I have to study and miss out playing all these great games that I recently bought. Some were also lying around for sometime. Hopefully I will get time to pick up and play them all.
1. Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (X360)
2. Project Gotham Racing 3 (X360)
3. Kameo : Elements Of Power (X360)
4. Tomb Raider : Legends (X360)
5. Blazing Angels : Squadron of World War II (X360)
6. Gears of War (X360)
7. Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 (PC)
8. Fear : Extraction Point (PC)
9. Prince of Persia : The Two Thrones (PC)
10. Age of Empires III: The War Chiefs (PC)
11. Titan Quest : Immortal Throne (PC)
12. Command & Conquer 3 (PC)
13. Titan Quest (PC)
14. Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC)
15. GTA: San Andreas (PC)
15 Games in total!
Well maybe I'll get time in the coming summer vacation. Yeah baby! Here I come.
